I post a ton of joyful pictures with my husband. Sometimes people assume that the posting of lovey-dovey social media pics stems from insecurity or the need for approval. I’ve even heard friends discuss that this is seen as “flaunting” or disingenuous. But I’m here to say that, yes, we are as happy as we look on Facebook. I’m not posting pictures just to annoy you.

And no, I’m not going to stop.

Things we don’t usually take pictures or videos of include me doubled over in pain while hiking because of my autoimmune disease, mornings when I feel like I can’t get out of bed because I’m in so much physical pain, or when we’re experiencing intense amounts of financial fear. There are also the times when two days worth of dry wall work doesn’t hold up, or when our jobs are particularly hard.

The happiness you do see between us in the pictures I post is deep and true. We actually feel that in love despite our life circumstances, and despite being normal people who have normal people stuff happening. When friends and family ask us if “it’s real” or “what’s your secret?” no one ever really likes our answer.

Read more at Cosmopolitan.